Bears Defense Sets Record for Touchdowns; Rookies Luck and Richardson making history

A look at seven statistical highlights from games played at 1:00 p.m. ET and 4:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 28, the eighth week of the 2012 season.

The NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS amassed 473 total net yards in their 45-7 win over St. Louis in the NFL’s International Series game in London, England. The Patriots have posted at least 350 total net yards in 17 consecutive games, surpassing the Rams (1999-2000) for the longest such streak in NFL history.

Atlanta quarterback MATT RYAN passed for 262 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 30-17 win over Philadelphia. The victory was Ryan’s 50th regular season win in his career as a starter and tied BEN ROETHLISBERGER for the second-fewest starts (69) to reach the milestone among active players. New England’s TOM BRADY reached 50 regular season wins in 65 starts.

Ryan is now 15-0 in his career (4-0 in 2012) when he throws at least three touchdown passes in a game. Only DARYLE LAMONICA (19-0) has a better record in games with at least three touchdown passes. Ryan, who posted a 137.4 passer rating, is 28-0 in his career (5-0 in 2012) in games with a 100.0+ rating.

The Falcons are 7-0 for the first time in franchise history and have the NFL’s only undefeated record.

Green Bay quarterback AARON RODGERS threw two touchdown passes in the Packers’ 24-15 win over Jacksonville. Through eight games this season, Rodgers has 21 touchdown passes. Rodgers, who totaled 24 TD passes through eight games in 2011, is the first quarterback ever to have 20+ touchdown passes through his team’s first eight games in consecutive seasons.

New England quarterback TOM BRADY passed for 304 yards and four touchdowns in the NFL’s International Series game in London, England. Brady joins BRETT FAVRE (72), PEYTON MANNING (67)and Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO (62) as the fourth player in NFL history with 50 career games with at least three touchdown passes in NFL history.

Brady registered the 50th 300-yard passing game of his career, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer WARREN MOON (49) for the seventh-most 300-yard passing games in NFL history.

Chicago cornerback TIM JENNINGS had a 25-yard interception-return touchdown in the Bears’ 23-22 win over Carolina. The Bears, who have six interception-return touchdowns this season, are the first team in NFL history to return six interceptions for touchdowns through the first seven games of a season.

Indianapolis rookie quarterback ANDREW LUCK passed for 297 yards and a touchdown in the Colts’ 19-13 overtime win at Tennessee. Luck, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, has led the Colts to a 4-3 record, the highest winning percentage (.571) by a rookie quarterback who was a No. 1 overall pick through Week 8 in NFL history.

Cleveland rookie running back TRENT RICHARDSON rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown in the Browns’ 7-6 win over San Diego. Richardson now has five rushing touchdowns, the most by a Browns’ rookie in the team’s first eight games since 1969 (RON JOHNSON, five).